Frank Palmer Speare (FPS), the first president of Northeastern University (NU), was a leading figure in the field of education. During his 43 years at NU, the institution developed from a small school to one of the nation's largest private universities. FPS was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts on March 31, 1869. He graduated from Bridgewater State Teachers' College in 1889. From 1896 to 1916 he served as the Educational Director of the Evening Institute of the Boston YMCA. In 1916 the Institute was formally incorporated as Northeastern College, and FPS was inaugurated as the first president in March 1917. He retired in 1940 and was appointed President Emeritus of NU. FPS also served as a trustee and member of the NU Corporation. FPS died on May 29, 1954.